Dining Table Seating Capacity – Round, Rectangular & Square

By Bailiegh Basham · October 2, 2019

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look at what shape and size dining table you need and how many people each table accommodates.

Looking to buy a properly sized dining set? There are many factors to consider before making your selection: Do you have a small dining room? Do you entertain often? How many seats will you need? In this article we’ll provide useful tips for understanding table seating capacities in order to determine what shape and size dining table best meets your needs.

The right dining table for your dining area

When it comes to dining tables, you should consider both the everyday and occasional use of your table. But there are some guidelines that apply to every table, regardless of shape, size, or occasion.

• Table placement: In terms of space, try to leave 36” from the edge of your table to the nearest wall or piece of furniture.
• Table accessibility: Ensure your guests have ample room to sit down and rise from the table with ease.
• Chair spacing: Leave 24”-33” per chair for comfortable seating.

Still wondering what dining table is right for your space? Try our Dining Table Size Calculator below!

Formal vs family dining situations

When purchasing your dining table you will want to consider how the table will be used throughout the year. Special occasions might call for a more formal dining environment. While family gatherings — think: large holiday feasts or a casual jeans and t-shirt dinner party — are more relaxed. These unique dining situations, appropriately named “Formal Dining” and “Family Dining”, will affect the amount of spacing between guests and how many chairs a table can accommodate.

• Formal dining seating: You should allow approximately 30”-33″ spacing between each chair.
• Family-style and everyday dining seating: You should allow approximately 24”-27″ spacing between each chair.

Now that you know the spacing rules, it’s simple to transition from everyday informal to special occasion formal dining, when necessary.

Space for children vs adults at the table

Since children take up less space than adults, it’s appropriate to seat them closer together for both formal and family dining situations. For dining environments with children, we recommend utilizing bench seating instead of chairs. With bench seating, you can allow 18”-24” spacing between each child.

Seating capacity by table shape

Dining table shape greatly affects how easy it is to seat and accommodate diners. In order of most efficient to least efficient seating capacity, rectangular tables reign supreme. Followed by oval, round, and lastly, square. Below, we provide the seating capacities for various table shapes and sizes.

Seating capacity for rectangular tables

Rectangular tables are the most efficient at seating diners for their size, particularly at larger dimensions. Room can be left for table service in the middle of a rectangular table, if desired. And there is minimal wasted space on the tabletop.

The following seating capacities provide both formal and family style recommended seating guidelines for rectangular shaped dining tables based on a 19” dining chair width.

Formal dining (30” chair spacing) for rectangular tables:

• A 54” long rectangular table can seat up to 4 adults
• A 60” to 72” long rectangular table can seat up to 6 adults
• An 84” to 96” long rectangular table can seat up to 8 adults
• A 108” to 120” long rectangular table can seat up to 10 adults

Family dining (24” chair spacing) for rectangular tables:

• A 54” to 66” long rectangular table can seat up to 6 adults
• A 72” – 84” long rectangular table can seat up to 10 adults, depending on table width
• A 96” – 108” long rectangular table can seat up to 12 adults, depending on table width
• A 120” long rectangular table can seat up to 14 adults, depending on table width

Pictured: Tall Timbers Extendable Dining Table

Seating capacity for oval tables

Oval tables are the next most efficient for seating capacity. Some space can be wasted at the ends of the table where guests cannot be seated together as closely without bumping into one another, or if the table has pedestals that interfere with foot room. There is still plenty of room for diners to sit comfortably along the sides of the table and have table service.

The following seating capacities provide both formal and family style recommended seating guidelines for oval shaped dining tables based on a 19” dining chair width.

Formal dining (30” chair spacing) for oval tables:

• A 72” long oval table can seat up to 6 adults
• A 84” to 96” long oval table can seat up to 8 adults
• A 108” to 120” long oval table can seat up to 10 adults

Family dining (24” chair spacing) for oval tables:

• A 72” to 84” long oval table can seat up to 8 adults, depending on table width
• A 96” to 108” long oval table can seat up to 10 adults, depending on table width
• A 120” long oval table can seat up to 12 adults, depending on table width

Seating capacity for round tables

Round tables are fantastic for smaller groups, but as table size increases, more surface area becomes impractical for use in serving. Additionally, you would need a fairly large round table to accommodate a small number of guests. As a rule of thumb, you will gain two diners per 12” increase in diameter.

The following seating capacities provide both formal and family style recommended seating guidelines for round dining tables based on a 19” dining chair width.

Formal dining (30” chair spacing) for round tables:

• A 42” to 48” round table can seat up to 4 adults
• A 54” round table can seat up to 5 adults
• A 60” round table can seat up to 6 adults
• A 72” round table can seat up to 8 adults

Family dining (24” chair spacing) for round tables:

• A 42” round table can seat up to 5 adults
• A 48” to 54” round table can seat up to 6 adults
• A 60” round table can seat up to 8 adults
• A 72” round table can seat up to 10 adults

Seating capacity for square tables

Square seating is best used in small dining areas. Because of its shape, it isn’t the best for seating many guests nor maximizing space. That said, you may add leaves to square tables to add additional seating when needed.

The following seating capacities provide recommended seating guidelines for square dining tables based on a 19” dining chair width.

• A 24” square table can seat up to 2 adults
• A 30” to 42” square table can seat up to 4 adults
• A 48” to 54″ square table can seat up to 8 adults

Below you will find a visual representation of the information above. If you have any questions about what size or shape dining table is best for your needs, please contact Countryside Amish Furniture.

Tips for Helping to Fit Those Extra Guests

Come Thanksgiving, you may be reading our recommended table dimensions for 12+ people with a furrowed brow and a sinking feeling in your stomach. Don’t fret—if your current table’s dimensions don’t accommodate your anticipated party size, there are ways you can “cheat” to squeeze in an extra setting or two (or five).

• Swap out chairs for benches – Benches eliminate the physical barrier between diners, enabling them to sit closer together. After all, if you have two spouses sitting beside one another, there’s no issue if their legs brush.

• Be strategic with placemats (or remove them entirely) – Placemats act as visual cues to guests about how to space themselves, especially if perched on benches. If your goal is to have them shift closer to one another, position smaller placemats to subtly give the hint. If you want to avoid the visual clutter of overlapping placemats, forego them entirely.

• Serve the food on a separate buffet – Why not exhibit the spread of food on a solid wood buffet or sideboard, alongside plates and silverware? In this scenario, diners would only pick up the dishware that they’re currently using rather than having multiple sets at each place setting.

• Limit centerpieces and adornments – When you’re trying to exceed your table’s normal capacity, you can use every free inch you can have. Therefore, we suggest removing the centerpieces.

Buy a Table of Any Size From Countryside Amish Furniture

Countryside Amish Furniture is proud to make handcrafted wooden tables available to people across the entirety of the Continental US. We make it easy to customize pieces through your choice of hardwood, stain, and features. Plus, the majority of our dining tables come in multiple sizes.

For example, the ever-popular Les Halles Round Dining Table comes in sizes 48”, 54”, 60”, and 72”, and you can even select the specific edge style and tabletop shape. Or, let’s take the rectangular Casey Trestle Table and its wide-spanning 23 different sizing options. Order it with the dimensions of 36″ x 48″ to accommodate smaller spaces and smaller families, or opt for the 48″ x 108″ table to sit 12 guests.

Our point? We offer near-endless possibilities, all executed with Amish woodworking techniques and a refined eye for detail. Regardless of whether you want to sit a family of four or a party of 10+, your home deserves only the best.

FAQ About Dining Table Seating Capacity

What are standard round table sizes?

The most common sizes for round tables are 48” through 72”, with the inches divisible by 12 to equal feet. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter 36” and 84” tables. It’s important to note that there is no universally agreed-upon standardization of sizing for round tables.

A 72” round table seats how many?

72” is one of the more frequently offered dimensions for round tables, making this question particularly common. Expect to sit between 8-10 adults, depending on whether your chairs include or exclude arms that require extra width per diner.

How many people can sit at a 60-inch round table?

Ah, another question we receive a lot at Countryside Amish Furniture! 60” round tables can generally fit six adults if chairs have arms, and eight if the seats have no arms.

What sized table can I get for 12 people?

The answer depends on your desired table shape. If you seek to sit 12 around a rectangular table, seek a minimum of 96”, though we suggest aiming for 108” or higher as this would give you more flexibility to choose the chairs you want.

Finding a round table that sits at least 12 people will be a bit trickier, with fewer options at your fingertips. We suggest finding a table available in 84”, such as our Alpharetta Round Table.

What are the minimum dimensions needed to seat 6 people?

If needing to sit six guests, the recommended minimum is 54” to 66” for a rectangular table. However, to accommodate chairs with arms for more formal settings, we suggest a minimum of at least 60”.

Ready to Order the Right-Sized Table From Countryside Amish Furniture?

Whether you seek a round table for 12 or a rectangular table for 20, Countryside Amish Furniture has the ideal piece for your family. Watch this video for insights into ordering custom furniture.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens